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March - 2014

Californian Grid Operator CAISO presents RGI with statement in support of European Grid Declaration

Yesterday, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) presented the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) with an official statement of support for the European Grid Declaration. The document also emphasises CAISO’s appreciation for the work of RGI and highlights the multiple similarities between the two organisations.

CAISO CEO and President Stephen Berberich presented the official endorsement document to Antonella Battaglini, Executive Director of the Renewables Grid Initiative, and applauded the organisation’s dedication to sustainable grid development as a critical component of the future clean energy paradigm. The Californian grid operator and RGI both value close collaboration with stakeholders and building the future grid based on sustainable practices in harmony with the environment.

“This endorsement underscores the fact that grid operators share a set of common opportunities and values in this important time of energy transformation across the world”, said Antonella Battaglini. “For us, this is an important recognition of the importance of our work and a first step to future collaboration with each other”.

The statement, signed by the CAISO Board of Governors, praises the EGD signatories for their commitment to collaborative work on integrating renewables and their efforts to “simultaneously preserve and protect species and ecosystem integrity.”

“Transmission development in California is based on principles similar to those set out in the EGD,” said CAISO Governor Angelina Galiteva, who is also Chair of the Board of the Renewables 100 Policy Institute.

The CAISO representatives are in Germany this week as part of a tour of California energy experts and regulatory leaders to discuss with their European counterparts how to advance ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, while adapting the distribution and transmission grids to increasingly high penetrations of renewable based power generation.

Renewables 100 and RGI look forward to collaborate on issues related to the integration of increasing shares of renewable energy sources into the power grid.

Press Contact

Stephanie Bätjer

Stephanie joined the Renewables Grid Initiative in 2013. Her main responsibilities lie with RGI’s communications and media work and she is leading the good practice award activities. She previously worked in the communications team of the European Climate Foundation.Stephanie has studied at the Universities of Marburg and Hamburg, Germany, and the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. She holds degrees in political science and journalism.